English Country Home Wedding Meets Secret Garden Romance

It’s not hard to get swept away in the classical charm of this stunning editorial. Set at a picture-perfect new venue, Findon Place, this styled shoot nods to Netflix hit Bridgerton and the decadent Regency era, but you can expect a refreshing, modern spin. I invite you to keep scrolling, step back in history, soak up the romance, and admire every one of the exquisite backdrops…

Emma says…

Findon Place is a glorious new wedding venue, the type of Georgian manor house that true country house regency dreams are made of. Full of natural light, this beautiful new venue has been recently restored using a stylish neutral palette throughout. This editorial was inspired by the venue’s history and decorative detailing, with each supplier creating their vision using details from the venue.

When asked to create an editorial wedding shoot at Findon Place, I envisioned beauty, light, and a slight nod to its quintessential British heritage. With Georgian architectural detailing throughout, how could I not be inspired by the show which stole our hearts last year – Bridgerton and not only this but also another British classic – The Secret Garden? Combining the two, we aimed to create pure and radiant wedding magic wrapped up in the history of the Regency era.

Inspired by the extensive gardens at Findon Place, the colour palette came together in a wash of rainbow pastels. The herbaceous borders that line all great country homes in the UK were recreated in harmonious shades of lilac, blush, cream, blue, pink and green. A trip into the garden brought to life a ceremony space and wedding breakfast table overflowing with blooms.

Styling for the day drew on the magic of shows like Bridgerton and The Secret Garden. The vision was brought to life with Regency-era fashion and architectural plasterwork blended with contemporary and detailed creations which kept cottagecore and crafting in mind. The couture dress, designed by Cynthia Grafton-Holt, was a floaty dream. Inspired by the bodice and shoulders of Regency-era gowns, this beautiful wedding dress was made for free spirit and movement.

The table had hand-thrown porcelain candlestick holders, bud vases from local ceramicist Joanna Ling, and her delicate cake stands. My favourite detail was the stationery crafted with Findon Place in mind. Emma created a painterly vellum wrap inspired by the paintings of gardens that hung in the venue and used embossing to represent the intricate ceiling plasterwork. The drinks reception occurred on the lawns, with views across the West Sussex countryside. Dainty chamomile flowers decorated the couple’s pink coupe glasses, and the crafted porcelain displayed glorious cakes. Anna is an accomplished cake designer who didn’t disappoint with an abstract buttercream floral show-stopper.

The abundant florals set the colour palette for this inspirational shoot, and Sue from Bramble and Belle did a fantastic job. A show-stopping display of traditional floristry mixed with contemporary wildness brought the outside in. The ceremony space was laid out in the ballroom, and magic was created using a romantic floral arch and meadow aisle arrangements. A quintessentially British yet unruly herbaceous border was laid at the centre of our intimate wedding breakfast table, surrounded by crafted bud vases, candlesticks and intricate stationery. After all the dancing and twirling, the couple stopped momentarily to reflect on one of Findon’s plush velvet sofas.

If this magical garden delight inspires a couple and would like to interpret it for their big day, the most important things are the florals & the bespoke details. Finding a brilliant florist who can deliver show-stopping blooms will be the key to creating a magical garden explosion. A truly luxurious event must include bespoke small details that delight and wow your guests. I chose hand-crafted porcelain candlesticks and plates, which can be taken home and used on special occasions. You will treasure these memories forever.